Many families in Butetown and the Docks lost loved ones during the War. This was in part because so many men from the area were seamen serving in the Merchant Navy which played a crucial role in the War, at the cost of some 30,000 lives.

Others joined the Army, the RAF and the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the women's army. Some of those who joined the forces were immigrants from the British Empire. They say themselves as fighting for the Motherland.

The stories of Butetown children who were evacuated to the South Wales Valleys are also told, including a video of a recent trip that some of them made back to the valleys location (in and around Aberdare) where they used to live.

Family sacrifices

Betty Campbell MBE recounts the life of her father Simon Vickers Johnson (pictured below with Betty and wife Nora).

Originally from Jamaica, he found work in Cardiff as a seaman and was lost at sea when the Ocean Vanguard (the first Liberty Ship built in America) was sunk by U-boat 515, commanded by the infamous Werner Henke.

Visitors can also read the last telegram sent by an airman, Percy Gayle, to his wife alongside the official telegram informing her of her husband's death.

Patti Douglas's brother Thomas (left) went to sea at 14 as a galley boy. He was killed on his second trip, carrying coal in a convoy. Patti wanted to ensure that her brother's sacrifice would be remembered and she was presented with his medal two years ago. Thomas's name, like the names of other Merchant Seamen lost at sea in the War, is on the Tower Bridge Memorial.

The renowned local singer-songwriter Patti Flynn recounts what is perhaps one of the saddest stories of family loss. Both her father and brother died at sea in 1941. Her other brother Arthur, who joined the Royal Air Force, and became one of their few Black officers, was killed in a plane crash at the age of 21 in 1944.

Patriotic duty

Many young people saw it as their patriotic duty to fight in the War. Some came from all corners of the British Empire in response to the call from Churchill. Joining up also meant greater opportunities and better working conditions than their fathers had.

Sammy John says: "I saw my father return from sea with all sorts of vermin in his donkey bag and decided not to join the Merchant Navy". Instead, Sammy became a Royal Navy aircraft mechanic working on aircraft carriers. He traveled thousands of miles escorting ships in the Russian Convoy and touring the Pacific in HMS Implacable. "I only know of three black boys who joined the Royal Navy myself, Danny James and Freddie from Barry," he said.

John Actie simply wanted to fly. He joined the RAF when he was 17, went to an aircrew selection board and passed all the exams. Upon meeting him, the Flight Sergeant said: "Oh, we'd better not have you; we'd better have someone who can speak and understand English".

As he was born and brought up in Cardiff, John knew this comment to be wrong and prejudiced. He stood up for himself and was eventually posted to a squadron in Iceland where his crew would fly out hunting U-boats.

Seven young men from the area flew as aircrew in the RAF. Six of them were killed all except John. "And that's war, you see," he says.

Racial slurs

In Butetown, racial and cultural differences were accepted as part of the rich tapestry of everyday life. Outside, things were different. The young servicemen and women from the area found themselves in a very different environment during the war.

Many found it strange being the only black face in their unit and some experienced personal and institutional racism. Some were bullied; many experienced racist name-calling; and some who initially rose quickly during the war found that they could go no further.

Vera Johnson was one of several young women from the area serving in the ATS, the women's army.

She found herself in trouble when she defended herself against racial slurs. "I was serving out the food and there was a platoon of soldiers waiting. All of a sudden, this young chap came out and got on his knees in front of me and he started singing, 'Mammy, Mammy!' And they were all roaring - the soldiers laughing, you know - but I wasn't laughing.

"We had these big spoons for serving. Mind you, I didn't mean to cut his head open. I just flicked it and I hit him across he head. He had to go to hospital. I was on a court martial, but I got away with it because everybody could say what the boy had done. I didnt provoke him, so they threw it out of court. So I had respect after that".

Butetown History and Arts Centre
4/5 Dock Chambers, Bute Street, Cardiff Bay

Open Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm
Weekends & Bank Holidays 11am-4.30pm

For further information contact Nina Snell or Glenn Jordan at BHAC - phone 029 20 256 757 or email info@bhac.org